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One Trade With Every NHL Team – Dallas Stars

Dec 15, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jacob Bryson (78) skates during the warmup before game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Keeping this paragraph as a starting point if this is your first time reading this series: We will be continuing our journey through this series looking at one team at a time to act as a trade partner. Please keep in mind this should not be viewed in the same way as a comprehensive GM for a day type of post where we are looking to completely overhaul the team in one fell swoop. Each article will “reset” the Sabres roster, so don’t be surprised to see the same players, prospects, and picks used repeatedly in various trade offers.

The Dallas Stars are built exceptionally well, and have a strong roster when looking at forwards, defense, and goaltending respectively. Even still, in order to maintain their status as an upper echelon team they have to be open to the idea of making trades whether the goal is for immediate improvement to round out their roster, or looking towards the future viewing both player and cap management.

Many contending teams try to bolster their player group when looking ahead to the post-season and their perceived odds on making a deep playoff run. Also, in a couple of years Dallas is going to have to make big decisions on both Jason Robertson and Thomas Harley. Each of these players will likely be due substantial pay raises, will the Stars have the cap flexibility to accomplish that as well as pay their younger talented players? They have limited cap space at this time, and Oettinger’s raise kicks in next season.

To Buffalo: Mason Marchment, Logan Stankoven, and Nils Lundkvist

To Dallas: Jordan Greenway, Peyton Krebs, Henri Jokiharju, Jacob Bryson, and 2025 2nd and 4th round picks.

In this trade Dallas adds depth, grit, and penalty kill experience, and offloads a player in Nils Lundkvist that seems to have fallen out of favor within the organization. Also, every player they acquire from the Sabres is in their final contract year except for Peyton Krebs who is currently signed to a fairly reasonable 1.45million AAV cap hit.

Logan Stankoven has some value for the Stars, but they have another similar player in Mavrik Bourque that plays a similar style and role. Peyton Krebs plays a more defensive game, and adds a little size in comparison to the previous players mentioned, with some fire that he would undoubtable let loose in any post-season rivalry. Can Krebs unlock some more of his offensive potential with the Stars, that may be something worth their consideration.

Jordan Greenway is currently on IR, but when he is fully healthy he is an effective 3rd line forward that brings a physical presence. Additionally, he is viewed as a strong penalty killer with excellent reach and an active stick that is good at taking away passing lanes. Jacob Bryson is a depth defenseman, and while he isn’t exactly large in stature, he plays a responsible game and adds speed to the backend. If and when injuries occur, he is a capable player of stepping into a bottom pairing role.

Henri Jokiharju (age 25) and Nils Lundkvist (age 24) seem to be very similar. Both have solid skating ability, and put up good offensive numbers prior to being drafted. Each of these players could benefit from a change of scenery. The 2nd round pick offers good value as value, as it currently stands it is almost a late first round pick, and the Stars are missing their own 2025 2nd round pick.

From a Sabres perspective they pickup a strong and experience player in Mason Marchment, who is signed for another year at 4.5million AAV. He does have a modified 10 team NMC, however lets say its possible for him to consider waiving to play closer to home as he is from Ontario, Canada. Marchment is an interesting player as he has had up and down seasons during his career in the NHL, his movement would provide the Stars some cap relief next season, and also give the Sabres a veteran presence with a physical game to add a missing component to their team now.

Nils Lundkvist could be a fun add for the Sabres, he is a bit of a gamble, but when he was drafted he went on to win the Salming trophy in 2020-2021 as the top Swedish-born defenseman in the SHL. Rasmus Dahlin may be able to work with him and help unlock some of his potential, which neither the Stars or Rangers were previously able to do.

Logan Stankoven is a small player, lets get that out of the way. Even still, he plays a game like Zach Benson (with even more speed), and is has been described as a Tasmanian devil on the ice. How much will his size impact his potential, and could he pass over forwards like Wyatt Johnston and Mavrik Bourque on the Dallas Stars? I think he would have a better chance of reaching his potential if put into a middle six position on the Sabres with the potential for powerplay time.

Could the Sabres spice up the deal a little more by retaining half salary on a player Jokiharju, maybe if the Stars are looking to make extra moves at the deadline.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this trade proposal. I didn’t want to go full blockbuster here and target players like Oettinger or Robertson. The Stars being close to the top of the cap did play a role in that, I did have some ideas on going after Oettinger, but the value to give up would’ve been considerable.

Thanks everyone for reading, as always your suggestions & comments are appreciated!

Final note – looking to guage interest in doing a Sabres/hockey related podcast. If anyone is interested in joining please leave a comment, thanks!

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